Devon & Cornwall

Ugo more places, from 11 October so do we

Following the tremendous success of the UGOBUS network, which was originally launched in April 2008, First Devon and Cornwall is extending its network further, adding four new routes from Sunday 11 October 2009.

As well as offering customers more choice and different journey opportunities, the move heralds the way for 60 new jobs to be created in the city. To support the network extension, First Devon and Cornwall is making a capital investment of over £2million, bringing an additional 22 super low floor buses into operation.

The new routes are:

Service 12, connecting the City Centre and Chaddlewood via Marsh Mills and Plympton. Buses will run every 12 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 30 minutes on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Click here to download a service 12 timetable

Service 13, connecting the City Centre and Ernesettle via Milehouse and St Budeaux. Buses will run every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime, and every 30 minutes on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Click here to download a service 13 timetable

Service 15, connecting the City Centre with Mainstone and Estover via Mutley and Derriford. Buses will run every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 30 minutes on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Click here to download a service 15 timetable

Service 17, connecting the City Centre with Southway via Mutley and Crownhill. Buses will run every 12 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime, and every 30 minutes on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Click here to download a service 17 timetable

Since the introduction of the UGOBUS network last year, First Devon and Cornwall has seen a significant increase in patronage (+7.3%) with customers welcoming the simple numbering of services and the clear routes that are associated with the network.

It currently runs eight UGOBUS routes in the city (Services 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 11) connecting the city centre with a variety of places including: Saltash, Milehouse, Plymstock, Mount Batten, Keyham, Mount Gould, Elburton, Goosewell, Woolwell, Peverell, Honicknowle and Mutley.

Marc Reddy, Managing Director of First Devon and Cornwall, explains: "We launched the UGOBUS last year because we wanted to show people in Plymouth the extent of our local network. We simplified all the timetables and routes, to make them clear and easy to follow, and ran a creative marketing campaign to get people to give them a go. The results were significant; lots of positive feedback and increased patronage as people were encouraged to try them.

"Following the initial success we added a further UGOBUS route last autumn, Service 11, connecting the City Centre with Honicknowle. This was also successful and it has paved the way for this third phase of the UGOBUS rollout.

"We are very excited about the new routes weve just unveiled; for the first time well have services running to and from Plympton, Chaddlewood, Ernesettle, Mainstone, Estover and Southway, meaning we can take our UGOBUS message to even more people. Existing bus users with season ticket products will also get even more value for money from 11 October.'

Such is the pull of the UGOBUS network, since it was originally unveiled in April 2008 First has been contacted by a number of people who want to appear on the side of the bus. To date around 40 people are featured on the side of the buses, including the Bumble Bee Girls (Jenny Hurrell and Amy Huntley who like to go clubbing dressed as bumble bees), the Faux Furs (a covers band comprising of Joe Escott and Ben Richards) and an artist from St Judes called Esther. In October 2008 the University of Plymouths Professor of Transport, Professor Mike Roe, was added to the realms of people already on the buses, and soon to be unveiled will be Casper, the amazing travelling cat " with his owner Susan Finden - and Police Community Support Officer Tim Quiterio, winner of a Plymouth Herald / First Devon and Cornwall Gold Star award for bravery.

Marc Reddy adds: "All in all we think that this planned extension to the UGOBUS network is a fantastic thing for Plymouth, and its particularly great to be able to announce the creation of so many new jobs in a time when many other businesses are cutting back.'

The new UGOBUS services will be launched in the coming weeks and will be supported by a raft of marketing activities, including a number of special offers designed to entice people to try the new services.

For more information about job opportunities, or training to be a bus driver, should call 01752 495203, or email firstdevonandcornwall@firstgroup.com. Alternatively you can download an application form on this site by clicking on the banner on the First Devon & Cornwall homepage